Games-bound Paul voices Delhi concerns

TABLE tennis ace Paul Drinkhall has echoed the fears of all the Commonwealth Games athletes over the ongoing crisis int1 Delhi.

Ranked fifth in the Commonwealth and a serious contender for a medal, the 20-year-old Clifton-based player could see his hopes quashed before he’s even set foot on the plane if the big event fails to materialise.

Drinkhall has been anxiously watching the news as one disaster after another has unfolded and admits it has been difficult keeping an eye on his game.

He said: “As far as I am aware I am still going to India but looking at the news, it sounds like it’s a shambles out there. It’s not a great place to be going to.

Drinkhall and the other English athletes\!aincluding eight others from Rotherham will wait for a decision today over the future of the Games.

Team England will make a statement, expected tonight or tomorrow morning, after asking for assurances that the safety of athletes won’t be compromised.

The other eight Rotherham athletes confirmed in Team England are:

JOE ROEBUCK - Sprint swimmer from Rotherham who is a product of the Metro club. He shot to national prominence after moving to Lough borough University and he still lives in the midlands town. Age 25.

REBECCA TURNER - Wickersley Comprehensive product who also goes in the swimming competition. Becky competes for City of Sheffield and notched Yorkshire’s fastest 200m time with 1:59.90, set in Glasgow. Age 18.

BEN SWIFT - Knows all about the big events, having competed at the last Olympics. The North Aston cycling ace rides for the crack Team Sky and will compete in the road race and track events. Age 22.

RUSSELL DOWNING - A lot of hard work has paid off for Thurcroft’s Russ, having become one of the country’s top road cyclists and joined Ben Swift in Team Sky. He will form part of the road race team. Age 32.

AMY OLIVER Archery ace from Mexborough. Amy competes for Dearn Valley Archery Club and this year took fifth places in the World Field Championships at both bare and recurve disciplines. Part of an eight-girl squad. Age 23.

LUKE CUTTS

Dearneside Athletics Club product who lives in Thurnscoe. Luke continues to hit the high spots and will be our sole representative in the track and field team. Age 22.

JOANNA PARKER - Like Drinkhall, Jo lives in Clifton and originally hails from Surrey. As a British table tennis no.1 she has medal hopes in the ladies’ section. Age 23.

HANNAH HICKS - Another hopeful who originates from Swindon and now lives in Rotherham due to her connections with the table tennis centre of excellence at the Insititute of Sport in Sheffield. Age 19.